asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to check the illicit traffic in firearms.

I have no evidence that there is any considerable illicit traffic in firearms, though some cases have come to notice in which members of the Armed Forces have attempted to dispose of weapons irregularly brought back to this country from the Continent. It is contrary to regulations for soldiers to retain weapons taken from the enemy, and the military authorities have instituted stringent checks to ensure that such weapons are not brought here from abroad. It is an offence for anyone who is not a registered dealer in firearms to traffic in them, and any evidence that unauthorised persons are attempting to sell firearms should be brought to the attention of the police.